Gen. Schneiderhan sought the resignation and took responsibility for not bringing the facts to the attention of German officials, but a junior member of the defense ministry was also ousted over the revelation, a growing embarrassment to the German government.

Beyond the usual concerns over a massive civilian death toll, the German role in the attack brought uncomfortable attention to the conflict in Germany, whose constitution forbids foreign military engagements. The government had repeatedly insisted that the Afghan War isn’t technically a war, a claim that is being greeted with increasing incredulity among a war-weary population.